Heart failure is a chronic and progressive condition in which the heart muscle does not work properly. The heart is unable to pump blood to meet the body's need for blood and oxygen. Heart failure is a common condition, affecting 5.7 million Americans. Use our online tool to assess your risk of heart disease.

Sentara Heart provides comprehensive, patient-centered heart services, no matter what type of heart care you need. Our Multi-Specialty Heart Programs bring together specialists from every field of cardiology to provide an expert, accurate diagnosis and a personalized treatment plan.

Diagnosing and treating heart failure early can help people live longer and improve their quality of life. We use advanced imaging and diagnostic tests to accurately diagnosis your condition. Then we tailor a treatment program based on your needs.

We provide the full spectrum of care for our heart failure patients. Our Advanced Heart Failure Program is growing to meet the needs of our communities. In addition to growing our physical facilities, we have expanded our staff, improving your stay and the quality of your care.

Other features of our heart failure program include: • Dedicated cardiac hospitalist who manages every surgical transfer patient, ensuring coordinated and seamless care • Participation in research to manage heart failure and improve quality of life • Advanced treatment options, including:

Sentara Heart cardiologists were the first in Hampton Roads to use the SynCardia Total Artificial Heart (TAH). TAH is the latest innovation in our heart transplant program. It is a life-saving bridge for our advanced heart failure patients.

Patients with end-stage heart disease may wait for years for a donor heart. TAH allows us to extend and improve their quality of life. Instead of heart-assist devices, such as pacemakers and ventricular assist devices, the TAH is a complete replacement heart. While a heart patient awaits a donor heart, TAH eliminates the symptoms of heart failure and reduces the risk of heart failure-related complications.

Sentara Heart is the second approved center in Virginia to offer TAH. And we are one of only 30 heart centers nationwide that participated in a clinical trial for a portable driver that allows TAH patients to be discharged from the hospital. With the Freedom driver, patients can return home to await a donor heart, improving their quality of life.